Story Ideas in Fairfax County Government

Story Ideas in Fairfax County Government

Through Future Features, the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
regularly informs the media about great story ideas in Fairfax County
government. The information provided gives the background on a newsworthy
story, as well as contact information to provide more information,
interviews, etc. For additional questions about the Future Features
service, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY
703-324-2935.

Fairfax County DFS and Kidsave International Launch Adoptive
Family Program
Recently, Verdia L. Haywood, deputy county executive for Fairfax County,
kicked off the official recruiting launch for Kidsave Fairfax Weekend
Miracles. Beverly Howard, the county’s Kidsave Fairfax coordinator,
explained that through Weekend Miracles an individual or a family works
with a child to find an adoptive home. “We are looking for families to
host the children on weekends over a three-month period to help find
adoptive families,” Howard continued. “There is no commitment for the
host family to adopt, but we ask that they introduce the children to the
family’s circle of friends and take the children to planned events where
potential adoptive families will be present.” Howard added that
organizations and businesses also can support the program by hosting
events for the children.

Carolyn Fowler, foster care and adoption program manager for the Fairfax
County Department of Family Services, says “Our goal is that no child
leaves foster care without a permanent, lasting connection to an adult.
“Kidsave Fairfax Weekend Miracles is an ideal public/private
partnership,” said Fowler. “It combines the social work expertise of DFS,
and the marketing support and coalition building of Kidsave
International, a nonprofit organization. This program is being used
successfully by Kidsave International to help children from Russian,
Kazakh and Colombian orphanages to find adoptive families in the United
States.” For more information about Kidsave Fairfax Weekend Miracles, go
to www.kidsave.org or call 703-683-5437, TTY 711.

Winter Weather Means Possible Office Closings
When bad weather hits this winter, it could affect county offices, and
in turn affect members of the public who need to do business with the
county or use county facilities. To help, here is a summary of the
county’s closing policy and places to learn the status of county
closings. In the event of bad weather, the county executive decides if
county facilities should be opened, closed or on delayed arrival, and if
unscheduled (formerly liberal) leave or emergency administrative leave is
to be granted for employees.
• Open – County is open as usual.
• Delayed arrival – Conditions warrant the county executive to delay the
work day. Most county offices will not be open to the public for business
until the specified delayed opening time.
• Closed – County facilities are closed.
• Unscheduled leave – Most county facilities will still open at the
regular time, but employees have the option to take unscheduled leave.
Employees designated as emergency service personnel must report for
work.
• Emergency administrative leave – Most county facilities will be
closed. Paid leave is authorized by the county executive.

To find county closing information, visit
www.fairfaxcounty.gov, call the emergency information line at
703-817-7771, TTY 711, watch cable Channel 16 or your local television
station, or listen to local radio stations which are provided with
closing information as soon as the decision has been made. For more
information, contact the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs at
703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND
WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE
WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS